Obituary for Richard Lee Ruggiero
Richard Lee Ruggiero, 77 of Bethany, WV passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021 at Somerford House in Hagerstown, MD.
Born January 8, 1944 in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late Pasquale & Florinda (Tonet) Ruggiero.
Richard was a man of old school values who believed in hard work, his Catholic faith, and the importance of family. He was the son of families that immigrated from Italy to work for Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, PA. He grew up in Turtle Creek, playing pranks and football with his older brother, the late Father James Ruggiero. After graduating from Point Park College, he was drafted into the Army to serve in the Vietnam War where he used skills learned at his parents ice cream stand to manage mess halls. Upon return, he continued working in the food service industry at Gettysburg College where he met and married the love of his life, Felicity Dykman. The couple moved to West “by God” Virginia and had four children while he managed food service at Bethany College and partnered in the founding of Aladdin Foods. Richard never met a dog that didn’t deserve a treat or a gadget he couldn’t break. His rare weekends off were spent fishing, golfing, or hauling kids to sporting events. Soon after retirement, Richard was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. Although his decline was difficult, it allowed his family to show him a small amount of the service and care that he had long shown them. Richard’s big heart and smile will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Felicity, four children, Christopher Ruggiero (Kristin) of Leesburg, VA, John P. Ruggiero (Jill) of Amesbury, MA, Marianna Ruggiero of Berkeley Springs, WV and Daniel Ruggiero of Bethany, WV, four grandchildren, Stella, Gianna, Sadie and Harrison, a sister-in-law, Bessie, and three brother-in-law, Tim, Chris and Art.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Gettysburg with Fr. Daniel Mitzel, Celebrant, followed by interment in Evergreen Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Adams County Allied Veterans. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Easter Seals of Wheeling, WV, 1305 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003 or a charity of your choice. The Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg is assisting the family with the arrangements, online tributes and condolences can be made at monahanfuneralhome.com
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Born January 8, 1944 in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late Pasquale & Florinda (Tonet) Ruggiero.
Richard was a man of old school values who believed in hard work, his Catholic faith, and the importance of family. He was the son of families that immigrated from Italy to work for Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, PA. He grew up in Turtle Creek, playing pranks and football with his older brother, the late Father James Ruggiero. After graduating from Point Park College, he was drafted into the Army to serve in the Vietnam War where he used skills learned at his parents ice cream stand to manage mess halls. Upon return, he continued working in the food service industry at Gettysburg College where he met and married the love of his life, Felicity Dykman. The couple moved to West “by God” Virginia and had four children while he managed food service at Bethany College and partnered in the founding of Aladdin Foods. Richard never met a dog that didn’t deserve a treat or a gadget he couldn’t break. His rare weekends off were spent fishing, golfing, or hauling kids to sporting events. Soon after retirement, Richard was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. Although his decline was difficult, it allowed his family to show him a small amount of the service and care that he had long shown them. Richard’s big heart and smile will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Felicity, four children, Christopher Ruggiero (Kristin) of Leesburg, VA, John P. Ruggiero (Jill) of Amesbury, MA, Marianna Ruggiero of Berkeley Springs, WV and Daniel Ruggiero of Bethany, WV, four grandchildren, Stella, Gianna, Sadie and Harrison, a sister-in-law, Bessie, and three brother-in-law, Tim, Chris and Art.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Gettysburg with Fr. Daniel Mitzel, Celebrant, followed by interment in Evergreen Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Adams County Allied Veterans. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Easter Seals of Wheeling, WV, 1305 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003 or a charity of your choice. The Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg is assisting the family with the arrangements, online tributes and condolences can be made at monahanfuneralhome.com
Events
Event Information
Services are private.
Cemetery Details
Location
Evergreen Cemetery
799 Baltimore St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
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